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Asian Benzene Prices Fall Despite Firmness on Upstream Markets / South Korea exports 185,744 mt benzene in May YNCC, South Korea's YNCC, reduces Yeosu Steam Cracker Run Rates to 80% / China's Bora Petrochemical closes 350,000 mt/year SM Unit for planned Maintenance

Asian Benzene Prices Fall Despite Firmness on Upstream Markets / South Korea exports 185,744 mt benzene in May YNCC, South Korea's YNCC, reduces Yeosu Steam Cracker Run Rates to 80% / China's Bora Petrochemical closes 350,000 mt/year SM Unit for planned Maintenance

Jun 23, 2025

The Asian benzene price was $3.67/mt less than the previous day, at $776.33/mt for FOB Korea on June 20. This is despite a firm upstream market. The crude oil and naphtha price rose on June 20. The front-month ICE Brent contract was 17 cents/b more than the previous session at the Asian close of $77.27/b. Meanwhile, the C+F Japan Naphtha marker increased by $3.625/mt at $646.25/mt. This puts the benzene/naphtha differential at plus $130.08/mt. Sources indicated that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East led to higher naphtha, which in turn supported benzene due to higher costs. Participants on the market believe that benzene will follow naphtha prices, maintaining the current naphtha-benzene spread. A source said that a firmer gasoline price would impact benzene supplies, encouraging producers to reduce their benzene...

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